Film Review: Though a Failed Comedy, ‘Delivery Man’ Shows Vince Vaughn’s Lesser-Seen Dramatic Side

CHICAGO – Has Vince Vaughn peaked?

Since hit films like “Swingers” and “Wedding Crashers,” critical flops like “Couples Retreat” and “The Dilemma” have shown he’s fighting an uphill battle to find redemption. While “Delivery Man” isn’t his re-breakout role, it does show you a lesser-seen side: his drama instead of his comedy.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

The problem is “Delivery Man” is supposed to be funny. Inspired by the 2011 Canadian hit comedy “Starbuck” [19] – in which Patrick Huard plays David Wozniak in the French version of this film – “Delivery Man” fails as a comedy where “Starbuck” succeeds. While you’ll be disappointed if you’re expecting another “Swingers”-like comedy from Vince Vaughn, you’ll be surprised to see his softer, paternal and caregiver side instead of his trademark party manboy.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Delivery Man”. [20]

“Delivery Man” is rated “PG-13” and “Starbuck” is rated “R,” by the way, and you can unfortunately feel the difference. It won’t be clear to you whether “Delivery Man” fails as the hilariously absurd comedy it’s supposed to be – despite the direction successfully taken by “Starbuck” – or if intends not to be one in the first place.

It focuses on being a drama and hones in on the human reality of trying to cope with the transformation from a manboy to a father. At the very least, “Delivery Man” should have been billed as a dramedy instead of a comedy. In Vince Vaughn’s version of David Wozniak, he delivers meat for his father’s meat-packing business. He’s an irresponsible underachiever who can’t get jerseys delivered on time for a family photo and fails to convince his girlfriend that he’s suited for her future.

Continue for Adam Fendelman’s full “Delivery Man” review. [20]

Vince Vaughn as David Wozniak in “Delivery Man”.
Image credit: DreamWorks Pictures

Continue for Adam Fendelman’s full “Delivery Man” review. [20]